Add Close Button To Windows 8 Apps With ModernMix

If you have been using a Windows 8 powered PC or have tested one of the preview builds of Windows 8, you must be aware of Modern or Metro apps introduced with Windows 8. Unlike the legacy programs, Modern apps can run on both x86 and ARM based chipsets.

As you know, modern apps can only be installed from the official Windows Store and don’t sport minimize, maximize, and close buttons (caption buttons). One needs to either press Alt + F4 hotkey or drag the app to the bottom of the screen to close it (see how to close modern apps). Since all modern apps run in full screen mode, user can’t run them in desktop and can’t resize them for the same reason.

Ever since the release of preview builds, PC users have been complaining about the lack of caption buttons and resize options in modern apps. Users who would like to resize modern apps and also add minimize, maximize, and close buttons will be happy to know that it’s now possible to add above mentioned features to modern or metro apps in Windows 8.

Stardock, the developer of Start8 & Decor8, has released an utility named ModernMix to add missing features to modern apps. By installing ModernMix on your Windows 8 machine, you get the following features:

Run modern or metro apps in a window in desktop

Minimize modern apps to the taskbar

Pin modern apps to the taskbar

Get minimize, maximize and close buttons on modern apps

Quickly toggle between full screen and window mode with hotkey

Show full-screen apps on the taskbar

Once installed, on the upper-right corner of every modern app, you will see an option to toggle between the default full screen mode and desktop mode. One can also use F10 hotkey to quickly toggle between these modes.

Another handy feature is that you can save settings for your favorite apps. For instance, you can use ModernMix to configure to Windows to always open Weather and Chat apps in full-screen mode, and SkyDrive, Maps, & Music apps in desktop mode (maximized).

Please note that ModernMix is not a free software and available for a price of $4.99. However, you can download the fully-functional 30-day trial copy by visiting the download page of the software. You will need to enter your email address to download the trial copy. Overall, it’s an awesome tool to enhance your Windows 8 experience.